Sure ... SUCCESS means different things to different people. Just as well, or we'd all be doing the same stuff at the same time ... getting in each others way ... imagine the competitiveness then!!
So ... what is SUCCESS in general terms? ... what does it take to be successful?
Here are some of my favourite quotes and suggestions from well-known 'successful' people:
"Success consists of ... going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill. Ahh persistance, that 'never give up' determination and courage. More Winston wisdom:
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts."
"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." - Bill Crosby. Yes, fear of failure is what stops many people from actioning their dream goals and following their passion ... so strong passion trumps fear.
"Success is ... knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others." - John C. Maxwell [leadership expert and fav author]. Nice one ... links to understanding the passions that drive your energy and help define your purpose. Notice how it is also about persistant, continual personal growth and sharing that to help others. I like that.
"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." - Albert Einstein. Yes, I have learned that real success and happiness is not measured by money, material possessions, position and power ... the
external stuff that we tend to judge people's success by, [size of house, number of houses, cars, boats, designer label possessions, senior exec roles, .. etc] ... these things are not what drives or motivates me. I'd rather live simply, without the pressure to compete with the 'Jones'' [whoever they are?], and make a bigger difference in areas where I [WE - my partner and I have the similar drivers] can be of the greatest value and achieve goals we are passionate about.
"The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way." - Robert Kiyosaki. Ahhaa ... so strength to keep going [persistance] ... focus on your big dream goals [passion] ... and ability to take the knocks, get up and keep going. Successful people often go through many unsuccessful years and it's the great learnings from that, which brings them success [patience].
So ... all that research, reading and rabbitting on, brings me to simplifying it down to 3 key things, the 3 P words, as a good reminder tool for me and one you might like too:
PASSION ...
is my key driver ... creates energy, excitement, creativity, momentum ... love doing what I'm passionate about.
PERSISTENCE ...
comes from a strong belief in what I'm doing ... the real need for change of thinking, change of behaviour, stronger leadership, and equality of choice - women stepping up to be their full version ... and knowing the value of potential outcomes, and that every step takes me closer to achieving those broader community goals.
PATIENCE ...
Ooops ... this one I'm still working on. Having such a strong passion and belief in what can be achieved for the benefit of all, I tend to get impatient when others don't jump straight on board with the program. Sure, I'm learning from the constraints, set-backs, and taking some advice ... like when to
take smaller steps or huge leaps, forward or sideways, but never backwards!
So 2 out of 3 is not bad, right? I mean, for a Change Champion ... of course I want to move mountains quickly!
The thing about patience is not so much about the waiting,
as the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Frustration is a bitch that needs taming! So ... I went searching for remedies to reduce [or kill off] feelings of frustration, caused by a slight 'under-supply' of patience. Here's what I'm doing:
STEP ONE - Start the day and end the day with +POSITIVE THOUGHTS+ ... Each day is a new day of opportunities, regardless of what happened [or didn't happen] yesterday or during today. While
doing outdoor stretches, bare feet on the grass, looking towards the early morning sun, or sunset ... is the time and space that works best for me.
STEP TWO - Remain intensly focused on my purpose and the desired outcome, and not on the obstacles. Let go of people, things and stuff I can't control or change ... don't let them steal my
+POSITIVE ENERGY+, just because they've lost theirs. Search for and surround myself with like-minded, inspirational people who bring out my best.
STEP THREE - Feelings of frustration are entirely my own creation ... YES! A behaviour response; a choice ... just like happiness and +THINKING POSITIVELY+ ... I can choose to shake that negative, energy zapping emotion off ... and change from trying to 'make it happen', to just letting 'whatever happens, happen' ... 'where ever it takes off'.
Sometimes our greatest learnings come from hitting brick walls and having to find other ways to reach our goals ... zig-zagging towards successful outcomes or going to where the opportunities are.
Did you notice the gold +POSITIVE+ plus signs surrounding the other 3 Ps in my creative illustration at the start? Yes, it could be a 4th P ... but I believe that positive focus feeds your Passion, supports your Persistance, and strengthens your Patience levels.
Choose to focus on your own positives ... because in the end, your personal success really is found in:
" ... liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it" - Maya Angelou.
Until next time, think ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ly.
cheers
Jilinda
